IDNR Land Management Soil Sampling

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids for soil sampling and laboratory analysis across multiple agricultural lease properties statewide, with bids due October 21, 2026. The procurement spans five geographic regions (Region 1, 3, 4, and 5 specifications provided) encompassing approximately 10,000–11,000 acres and 2,900–3,300 total sampling points across state-managed recreational areas, fish and wildlife areas, and state parks. Awards will be made to the compliant low bidder on a line-item basis, with each lease location or region potentially awarded separately.

The scope requires soil sample collection following University of Illinois Agronomy Handbook standards, with a minimum of five cores collected within 10 feet of each sampling point at depths of 0–7 inches, at a rate of one sample per five acres across row crop production, hay fields, and food plots. Laboratory analysis must report soil pH (maintenance level 6.0–6.5), phosphorus, and potassium levels at minimum; additional micronutrients are optional. IDNR will provide predetermined sampling location coordinates via hard maps or GIS shapefiles and pre-assign sample ID numbers. Contractors may access all sampling sites using four-wheelers. Final results and nutrient reports must be delivered electronically to designated IDNR contacts in a specified spreadsheet format.

An amended timeline (Bid Amendment B54580, posted October 15) supersedes the original schedule: soil samples must be collected from mid-October through late November 2026 following fall harvest completion, with all samples returned by December 1, 2026 to support farm lease meetings in November and December. The contract covers fall 2026 sampling and analysis only. Standard Illinois terms and conditions apply, including $1 million per occurrence commercial liability insurance, prevailing wage where applicable, three-year record retention, and compliance with Illinois Department of Human Rights equal employment opportunity requirements and 34 standard state certifications.